My India

(1)

The folks are nice, the leaders rough,

For all of us Indians, Life is tough.

But after living here a while

We take it all with a smile

To survive, a sense of Humor is enough.

(2)

Poor infrastructure and stinking drains,

An economy still dependent on rains.

Crooks are the bosses

Life, a sum of losses

And now Maoists have started hijacking trains.

(3)

Next to slums, there are many a high-rise,

The people work and leaders take the prize.

While you rough it out

Without a question or doubt

Criminals and politicians live life king size.

(4)

Will this match result in a win or loss?

And when will Dhoni win the toss?

Who give a damn for health-care

We just want to sit and stare

At TV and watch Bigg Boss

SPARROWS

I read in today’s newspaper that environmental workers in Hyderabad, concerned about the declining Sparrow population in the cities, have launched a programme of distributing cardboard boxes for sparrows to nest in. Apparently, the plan is picking up steam and making a slow but steady progress. Well, more power to them. Over the last fifteen years or so I have been noticing the gradual disappearance of Sparrows from our homes. I remember that when I was a kid the sparrows used to be regular residents of our home. In fact it sometimes seemed that it was their home and we were the intruders. They would make untidy nests in ventilators, cornices, the upturned cups of ceiling fans and at times even behind framed photographs. The birds were very industrious, constantly bringing in straws and dry grass and would contribute to the dirtying of our home as much as us children. I remember my mother’s chagrin and the amused resignation at their antics. The males with their distinct plumage were as active as females in building nests and feeding the perpetually hungry baby sparrows. I remember the distinct cheep cheep and the wide open beaks of the brood when the parent sparrows brought food. Sometimes a baby would fall out of the nest much to the agitation of the parents. I and my sister would try to save the unfortunate fledgling by making a nest of cotton in a shoebox and offering it food and water but without exception they all died. I still do not know if it was despite our efforts or because of them. The remaining babies would grow fast and leave the nest and fly off. The flying lessons that the sparrows provided to the chicks were a source of constant entertainment for us. Occasionally an adult sparrow would dash against the whirring blades of a ceiling fan and die leaving us all very sad. The sparrows were such a constant presence in every house that we stopped noticing them as we grew up. One day when I was talking about sparrows to my children my son told me that he had never seen one. I realized with a shock that sparrows had vanished from homes. I am told that the dense urban sprawl, high frequency waves from mobile towers and use of plastic pipes in place of cement ones have contributed to this decline in sparrow population. Since then I have been looking for sparrows everywhere I go. I have seen a few in condominiums in Gurgaon where they nest on the A Cs and a few in the holiday resorts where there are wide open spaces. I hope that sparrows make a comeback. I don’t want the present generation to grow up without seeing sparrows.

2 States- the latest Chetan Bhagat Novel

I am no die hard fan of Chetan Bhagat. Sure, I have read all his books and have found them entertaining. I have identified with many events of Five Point Someone and recommended his books to many friends. But his books did not have the raw resonance of say, Jhumpa Lahiri. That is before he came out with his latest offering, 2 States, the story of my marriage. This is undoubtedly his best till date. The simple and sweet boy meets girl love story has been presented in a wonderfully innovative and refreshing manner. The cultural and linguistic divide between the two families (yes, the boy is Punjab da puttar while the girl is a Tam bam, no less.) has been brought out in a manner which is humorous as well as poignant. Bhagat manages to put across his point with remarkable candor without being preachy. The best part of the book is that the sense of fun never goes away. Some Tamils and Punjabis may be a bit miffed at the mild dose of sarcasm directed at them but as Bhagat says you only make digs at people you care for. I don’t really know how much of the book is autobiographical but the situations seem real enough. The book is an easy read (which is the USP of all Bhagat works anyway) but the underlying message is not lost. The book is priced at a reasonable Rs.95.00 and I am sure it will be a runaway success like all his other works. My recommendation- Go for it and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.

Contemporary Limericks

Most unusual case, said the nurse with a frown,

This patients Blood Pressure moves up and down.

The Doc came and said

With a shake of his head

It moves with the SENSEX, you clown.

*** 

For high tech gadgets, it’s a mad mad charge

Live life king-size, live life large….

Its both sad and funny

In lieu of food or money

Even the beggers want a mobile recharge.

*** 

Akshaya, the actor of many a hue,

Was asked what else he would like to do?

He said I have fulfilled my passion

And achieved my secret ambition

Of acting in a film that was 'BLUE'.

*** 

The Nobel peace prize for Obama,

Is a stunt and political drama.

If it goes downhill at this rate

On some future date...........

They might as well give it to Osama

***

That’s what cricket is all about,

Indians may well sulk and pout,

After a day of top ranking,

Pakistanis gave us a spanking.

They lost to Aussies and we were out.

***

There was this guy called Dhoni,

From Cricket he made a lot of money.

He thought he was fearless

But he got a bit careless

And all fans are crying over the ‘Anhoni’.

***

It’s a tale all old timers tell,

Be humble when you play well.

Even the mightiest batsmen fall,

The moment they stop looking at the ball.

And most of the fans will give you hell.

***